Bally, Aristocrat team up

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – (PRESS RELEASE) -- Bally Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: BYI) and Las Vegas-based Aristocrat Technologies, Inc. announced today an agreement to cooperatively develop and market a common download system that manages configuration and content download in accordance with Gaming Standards Association (GSA), G2S and S2S protocols.

Bally and Aristocrat believe that a significant opportunity exists in adopting open industry standards to facilitate inter-operability between manufacturers. The companies are combining their resources and expertise in download and systems technology to develop a common download and configuration system and associated protocols.

The GSA-standard Downloadable Configuration Manager (DCM) will allow content download and configuration management and will be designed to co-exist with both companies' slot and casino management systems, utilizing S2S and other manufacturers' devices that communicate G2S protocols. Game content will continue to be proprietary to each manufacturer's game cabinet and platform.

Bally and Aristocrat will both unveil a working prototype at the Global Gaming Expo (G2E), Nov. 14-16, at the Las Vegas Convention Center at their respective booths.

"Our customers will benefit from this arrangement as we push for open industry standards developed specifically for this exciting new phase in the gaming industry," said Richard Haddrill, CEO of Bally Technologies. "This spirit of cooperation among two technology leaders will go a long way toward an overall download implementation that benefits both operators and players."

"This is an exciting opportunity to advance the downloadable technology offerings for both companies," said Paul Oneile, CEO and Managing Director for Aristocrat Leisure, Ltd. "With a combined install base of over 70 percent of casino management systems in North America, Aristocrat and Bally are poised to produce what we believe will be a very compelling product for this sector of the gaming industry."

With a history dating back to 1932, Las Vegas-based Bally Technologies designs, manufactures, operates and distributes advanced gaming devices, systems and technology solutions worldwide. Bally's product line includes reel-spinning slot machines, video slots, wide-area progressives and Class II, lottery and central determination games and platforms. As the world's No. 1 gaming systems company, Bally also offers an array of casino management, slot accounting, bonusing, cashless and table management solutions. The Company also owns and operates Rainbow Casino in Vicksburg, Miss.